Nigerians have criticised the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, following its announcement of its 72nd Annual Convention amid the ongoing nationwide protest.
The RCCG, in a statement on X, announced its 72nd annual convention titled “Heaven on Earth.”
As announced by the RCCG, the 72nd Annual Convention is scheduled to begin on the 5th–11th of August, coinciding with the ongoing nationwide protest.
”The RCCG 72nd Annual Convention is free, not sold out, and open to everyone! Do you want to experience heaven on Earth? Join us from the 5th-11th of August 2024 at The Redemption City, Mowe Ogun State; see you there,” the church’s statement reads.
However, reacting to the announcement, Nigerians lamented that the convention is wrongly timed, arguing that it coincides with the hunger protest.
”This is not what Nigerians want to hear right now. We are in a serious situation, and protest is our prayer now. Kindly delete and apologise to Nigerians immediately,” a Nigerian DJ stated
Ceaser Okoli criticised the general overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, for calling for a convention while failing to speak about the protest.
”Baba, you haven’t spoken out against this bad governance. Is this the heaven on earth you want us to experience?” Okoli argues.
”Nigerians are hungry and protesting, but your problem is to cash out through people’s offerings and tithes. Hypocrites in the name of Christianity,” another X user mentioned.
In her reaction, Ebere Anosike noted that ”People are crying against the bad government you have been supporting. Very soon, they won’t have money to pay you tithes.”
Nneka urged Adeboye to speak concerning the ongoing protest when she said, ”Sir, lend your voice to the ongoing famine in the land. This isn’t the time to stay mute. You have absolutely nothing to lose if you stand with the people this time.”
While Sapphire Osentikpo described the church as the ”Religious Wing of the APC,” Mossad describes the convention as an ”APC convention.”
Below are the reactions of other Nigerians to the announcement:
John Bassey, ”I am a redeemer, but this is not the way forward for us as a people. The church obviously doesn’t care too.
”Who will save us? We must do so ourselves. We will call on God and walk the talk ourselves. Most Nigerian churches are scamming schemes.”
Vincent Onyeka, ”APC during #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria have tried all they could to stop the protest; they have used Oro in Lagos, Wike has used Chiefs in Abuja, and now they are using RCCG convention.
“We are waiting for them to use an Islamic program so that all the religions will be complete.”
Oma Collins, ”Nigerian citizens are fighting for the soul of their nation. God is not a God of confusion. You really ought to detest letting the wrath of God come on you! You were good to protest during Goodluck Jonathan, but not now. Instead, you fix convention on same dates? Repent.”
Nkoyo, ”I don’t think it’s a good time to put people on the road for this convention considering the unrest going on now and most people will have to travel from outside the west down there. This convention should be online, and only those close to Lagos who can make it there should go.”
Buchi, ”There is hunger in the land. It’s expected of you to lend your voice to the suffering of the people. The sheep that God handed over to you as their shepherd are running astray, and you are saying nothing.”
